Dance to the music
October 31, 2011 1:59 PM Subscribe
We need an awesome small (3 to 5 person) wedding band for our Los Angeles wedding in June. I've tried all the booking agents, my local nightclubs, even craigslist but have yet to find the right match! Any recommendations?
We're looking for a live band to play a mix of indie music, classic rock, and crowd-pleasing dance favorites. Some bluegrass would also be amazing, but that's not a requirement.
However everything I've been able to find (and I've already checked out gigmasters, west coast music, etc) seems to be either cheesy sparkly-cumberbund 10 piece bands, or groups of middle-aged men that play mostly Van Morrison and the Eagles, or R & B groups, or disco/80's covers. Nothing wrong with any of these categories, it's just not what we want.
I'm looking for a rocking professional group that still has a young vibe to it, that can play Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeroes as well as Lady Gaga, as well as some Sinatra once in a while. I saw a fantastic wedding band in NYC seven years ago that pulled this off-- but can't for the life of me (and I've been looking for months now) find its equal in LA.
(Yes, I called the NYC band to see if they'd play in LA but I can't afford their airfare and equipment shipping fees. Our music budget is only 3 to 5 grand. )
If you've been to an LA wedding that had a great band, please let me know their name! Thanks.
We're looking for a live band to play a mix of indie music, classic rock, and crowd-pleasing dance favorites. Some bluegrass would also be amazing, but that's not a requirement.
However everything I've been able to find (and I've already checked out gigmasters, west coast music, etc) seems to be either cheesy sparkly-cumberbund 10 piece bands, or groups of middle-aged men that play mostly Van Morrison and the Eagles, or R & B groups, or disco/80's covers. Nothing wrong with any of these categories, it's just not what we want.
I'm looking for a rocking professional group that still has a young vibe to it, that can play Edward Sharpe and Magnetic Zeroes as well as Lady Gaga, as well as some Sinatra once in a while. I saw a fantastic wedding band in NYC seven years ago that pulled this off-- but can't for the life of me (and I've been looking for months now) find its equal in LA.
(Yes, I called the NYC band to see if they'd play in LA but I can't afford their airfare and equipment shipping fees. Our music budget is only 3 to 5 grand. )
If you've been to an LA wedding that had a great band, please let me know their name! Thanks.
Response by poster: Jon_Evil: I've already tried the musicians' union referral page! They only recommended a couple groups, but neither of them fit the bill (one was far too large, the other didn't play covers.)
posted by np312 at 3:41 PM on October 31, 2011
posted by np312 at 3:41 PM on October 31, 2011
Ok so you said bluegrass isn't a requirement, but since Triple Chicken Foot played a wedding reception I attended, I may as well mention them. They have a caller and get everyone up and square dancing.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:57 PM on October 31, 2011
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 6:57 PM on October 31, 2011
In your searches, have you tried looking into tribute bands? There might not be a band out there branded as a Fleet Foxes four-piece, but it's possible that a Coldplay tribute band has other, more indie rock in its catalog too. I'm just not sure if the same band can do Lady GaGa and Edward Sharpe equally well. Maybe a B-52's tribute band?
My other thought was to ask around with local musical theater groups and/or schools (like AADA or even UCLA's theater department?); there might be leads on groups that usually perform in a cabaret or as more of an side-project thing for special events, and don't advertise themselves as a band.
posted by tyrantkitty at 12:39 PM on November 1, 2011
My other thought was to ask around with local musical theater groups and/or schools (like AADA or even UCLA's theater department?); there might be leads on groups that usually perform in a cabaret or as more of an side-project thing for special events, and don't advertise themselves as a band.
posted by tyrantkitty at 12:39 PM on November 1, 2011
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posted by Jon_Evil at 2:24 PM on October 31, 2011